A secret briefing paper prepared for Ashby states Roads Minister Tim Pallas told him in 2007 that then police union boss Paul Mullett might be under investigation. That minister is

The documents allege that, in April 2007, Ashby met Mr Pallas who warned him he should be careful during any telephone conversations with Mullett, who was secretary of the Police Association at the time, the confidential paper states.

In the documents prepared by Ashby and his legal advisers, he claims Mr Pallas warned him to be careful on the telephone by "putting his fingers to his lips'' and advising him not to meet Mullett "as he may be compromised''.

Related Content

"I had no knowledge, nor could I have any knowledge, as Minister for Roads, of an OPI investigation,'' he said.

Advertisement

Mr Pallas said he met Ashby on April 2, 2007 to discuss road safety. He said the issue of the police pay deal was raised, but he did not recall Mullett being discussed.

Meanwhile, State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu has again called for a Victorian anti-corruption commission.

"We've been saying it now for years - this is exactly the sort of allegation that should be referred to such a commission," Mr Baillieu told Radio 3aw this morning.

"Victoria's the only mainland state that doesn't have such a commission.

"I would have thought anyone in that situation would be subject to an investigation of significant political corruption and obviously if a case like that was proved then that minister's time would be up."

Prominent QC David Galbally this morning told 3AW that if the allegations were correct, they were "alarming" and "concerning".

"I find it extraordinary that a minister should have any knowledge of the existence of such an inquiry," Mr Galbally said.

"When phone taps are put in place they are done in a secret environment. How does the government know about this, and what right has the government to know about it if it's meant to be an independent inquiry?"

Mr Baillieu said if Victorian Premier John Brumby must now make a full explanation.

"There must be a full detailed recording of exactly what happened," he said.

Meanwhile Victorian Police Minister Bob Cameron refused to comment when asked if he was the minister referred to in the leaked report.

"I've seen the media comment but the solicitor-general has given me very firm advice that it would be inappropriate for me as police minister to make any comment on a matter because it relates to a court proceedings," Mr Cameron said.

He also refused to comment on whether it was appropriate for a minister to be informed of secret investigations such as the Office of Police Integrity investigation into Mr Mullett in 2007.

"We're talking about an ongoing court proceeding, a matter related to it, and the solicitor-general has advised me that as police minister it would be inappropriate to provide any comment."

Mr Ashby resigned from the police force in 2007 after the OPI investigation accused him of leaking sensitive police information to Mr Mullett.

Mr Ashby faces 13 counts of perjury, 13 of misleading the OPI and three of breaching OPI confidentiality.

Mr Mullett is also facing corruption charges arising from the OPI hearings.

Both Mr Mullett and Mr Ashby have denied any wrongdoing.

Roads Minister Tim Pallas declined to comment to waiting media this morning as he arrived at parliament via an underground carpark entrance.

Mr Pallas was named as the minister in question on radio 3AW this morning.